England take on South Africa in opener

England, the strong favourites and hosts, will take on South Africa in the opening match of the 2019 World Cup Cricket extravaganza which gets off to a start at The Oval, London, at 3 pm today.

About World Cup 2019

The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is the 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup, hosted by England and Wales, from May 30 to July 14, 2019. One-Day cricket will explore new boundaries when the best teams in the business collide in English fields. Ten teams — England, Australia, India, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be seen in action. Each team will play each other once. The top four at the end of the group phase progress to the semi-finals.

England – The Favourites

England are the favourites at home, and giving them a tough fight would be India, Australia and South Africa, while Pakistan and West Indies can spring some surprises. New Zealand can be dangerous and also can come up with some good performances. Australia, the most successful team with five titles, have been bolstered by the return of their two best batsman, Steve Smith and David Warner and they are keyed up as a team to perform well and retain the title.

There is a renewed hope among the South Africans, who no longer appear to be weighed down by the chockers tag.

India have a well-balanced side, and look to repeat the 1983 World Cup win with the world’s Best Bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Best Batsman and Skipper Virat Kohli, and the shrewdest brain M.S. Dhoni behind the wickets; it would not be a surprise if India lifts the silver ware at the Lord’s balcony on July 14.

England Vs South Africa — Preview

England, led by skipper Eoin Morgan, are a transformed side, climbing to the top of the One-Day International (ODI) rankings.

Batting is England’s strong point at home with Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Morgan and Jos Buttler, who can contribute well and change the course of the game soon.

Skipper Eoin Morgan says “England will stick to what they have been doing in the past which has worked out well for them and says hopefully the World Cup will work out well for us.”

South Africa on the other side led by Faf du Plessis, who will miss experienced pace bowler Dale Steyn for the opening game, aims at dishing out a good show in the opening game against England and start their campaign with a win.

Pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be threat for England batters, while all-rounders Chris Morris and Dwaine Pretorius are in the frame to replace Steyn.

South Africa will be without their star batsman AB de Villiers but their top order includes the talented Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla. It will be a belter of a game at the Oval today evening, and an absorbing contest with the bat and ball is in the offing on the opening day of the World Cup 2019.